Although I've only used C3s a few times now, I thought I'd share an interesting anecdote regarding placement.

Last year I removed an old cracked angle protecting the crux of a local route. After removing the pin I could not place Metolius TCUs or FCUs in the pin scar. However, I could get a nice bomber C3 placement in the pin scar in addition to placements above and below.

I thought it was a nice real world example of the different placement possibilities with C3s and an improvement in style. Hence, the piton was not replaced.

Took a 15 footer on a size #0 c3, and it held like a dream. Don't know if I would go any smaller than that though.

As for the cams themselves, I like them. TCU's are awesome, but these guys can go into some pretty weird places. I got the 0, 1, and 2 sizes and have had no problems yet. Haven't noticed an unusually stiff trigger either. Maybe because of the bigger sizes? Teamed up with the new c4 cams, they complement each other well.

Compared with Metolius TCUs, I prefer the 0, 00, 000 BD C3s to the grey, purple TCUs. But I find that with the c3 1s and 2s, I still like my TCUs (blue, yellow) more. I find the trigger tension to be a small issue, bust mostly the trigger action and the placements appear more stable and less prone to walking/easier to clean with the metolius pieces. I'll try to get some pics to demonstrate this soon.

I tried these as well on a few pitches. I really don't like the trigger system, and don't like the way the cam won't flex side to side. I really like the master cams. Way better unit, and since they are a single stem unit, work in any direction. I definitely recommend master cams for small camming units.

I think a lot depends on the kind of rock you climb on. If the cracks are deep and parallel-sided, head width doesn't matter. If the cracks are shallower and are wiggly, perhaps with internal features, then nothing is more important than head width, since considerations such as flexibility and trigger action are meaningless if you can't place the piece.

If you climb in areas where fitting the cam between obstructions is a feature of many placements, then there is nothing better out there than C3's. (Of course, if you don't have C3's, then you don't know about all the placements you might have been able to make if you did have them.)

One of the cams had completely inverted, the other two cams were still engaged. I'm talking completely upside-down for the cam lobe.

I had this happen to my blue TCU. The cam was the first piece in, and it walked just enough to let one lobe enter a flare, and invert. There was no damage though, and no repair needed. It took a few minutes of coaxing to get it out. My second had to leave it and I got it on the way down. The only thing that really happened was one of the trigger wires was slightly bent close to where it attaches to the lobe. I love TCUs and don't have any C3s. They look like they defintely have a place on a rack though. Wouldn't mind picking up the green and red. To the OP: Good review. Thanks.

Must say that i am fully confident in the C3's. I was just starting a climb where my first piece was a size 00. Got about 6 feet above the placement when a hold broke from the wall. I am 6'8'' 165 pounds and took about a 10-12" whip on the 00. Granted, i was pushing my luck because it has a rating of 6 Kn and i was right around that for my force that was generated. So as long as you place them correctly they will work for you. Though i have seen the smaller sizes of a set walk a bit when placed vertically.

rockklimber, look at the picture again. it will lock fine. it may run smoother if turned, but does not effect locking.

john, in your first picture of the purple c3 (2nd picture in post.) i see that the middle wire (that pulls the middle cam) is hanging down - popped off of the black plastic cylinder. did you have many problem with this happening? or has anyone else?

overall they seem great. (the few that i have used.) i do like how the plastic sleeve protects the wires from being abused, but am unsure on the wire / cylinder connection.

Must say that i am fully confident in the C3's. I was just starting a climb where my first piece was a size 00. Got about 6 feet above the placement when a hold broke from the wall. I am 6'8'' 165 pounds and took about a 10-12" whip on the 00. Granted, i was pushing my luck because it has a rating of 6 Kn and i was right around that for my force that was generated. So as long as you place them correctly they will work for you. Though i have seen the smaller sizes of a set walk a bit when placed vertically.